Picture: (MEC for education & sport development department)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for education and sport development department, Sello Lehari said the long awaited matric results for the Class of 2016 will be announced at Batlhaping High School in Taung on January 5, 2017.

“We are adamant after a total number of 35 397 candidates set for their matric examination. They also completed their final examinations on November 29 without any report of irregularities. The main event will take place at 9am and we will address the media afterwards,” Lehari said.

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Picture: (By Mpho Bilwane) Comedian, Shapoomizer during Mahoka Mahikeng Comedy Show at Mmabatho Convention Centre, in Mahikeng

LAUGHTER is the only effective weapon that the human race has, says East Rand-based comedian, Sister H. Young and upcoming comedian shared a stage with renowned comedians like Kagiso Lediga, Chris Mapane, Shamponizer and others during the opening of Mahika Mahikeng Music Festival at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Thursday. 

Sister H as Hilda Sethosa is affectionately known in comedy fraternity said: “Comedy explains love for humour. The comic’s job is to create, sustain, and guide the audience throughout their performance. The comic touches on material that is taboo to the society and creates conducive atmosphere for people to talk about those issues.

“Mahika Mahikeng Music Festival Comedy show is a good initiative because it creates a platform especially for young and upcoming comedians to launch their vocation. It will also give Mahikeng necessary exposure on the long run. Audience was enormous and I enjoyed being here. I normally use comic to educate our people about various issues affecting them,” she said.

Another comedian from Mahikeng, Madeza Makhotla said even though he is passionate about comedy, music is his first love. Makhotla is a music tutor at Mmabana Foundation in Mahikeng.

“I love comedy, but music is my first love. I was encouraged by many people to embark on comedy. However, I will treat it as a hobby for now.”

Tshepo Sethosa shared the same sentiments. He said jokes are obviously meant to be laughed at and understood by the way in which the comedian communicates their craft on stage.

“We share jokes that are both relatable and comical to our audience. Comedians work on their craft and understand their audience. They also hone in on the jocular to earn trust and respect from the people that pay to laugh. Trust and respect is crucial to the comic to not only obtain laughter, but also to send a message to the audience, that even in times of difference, we are more similar than we think.

“I started to embark on comedy back in 2002. The Mahika Mahikeng Comedy show is great platform. Lot of people does not know much about me, but sharing the stage with renowned comedians boosts my confidence. The initiative is not only for North West people, has that potential to grow,” Sethosa said.  

One of revelers, Lesedi Rosho from Golfview in Mahikeng said: “The comedy was lit and I personally did not expect this. This is a good initiative and the event will boost the image of Mahikeng. The show reached its essence and we hope to see something like this again in the future.”

Omphile Ramadi said: “I enjoy the comedy show and anticipate fireworks during this weekend. Mahika Mahikeng brings back that vibrancy and vibe that Mahikeng is known for. We also hope our SMMEs and locale will benefit financial through this initiative.”- Newsnote        

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JOHANNESBURG – FIFA has banned former South African Football Association President Kirsten Nemantandani for five years.

He will not be allowed to participate in any football related activities.

The world football body has found him guilty  of  violating its code of ethics.

The ban relates to the 2010 match-fixing scandal.

– eNCA

A 61-YEAR-OLD man from Matsheng village, in Taung died at the hands of his brother, Oscar Tlamme, 65 as the two were allegedly fighting over their mother’ social grant on Tuesday.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said Rammuseng “Disco” Tlamme and his brother, Oscar were from a local tavern when a fight ensued between them.

“The fight ensued between the two and the suspect allegedly hit his brother, with an iron rod on his head. He was certified dead on the scene and we do not know what caused the fight at this stage. The suspect was arrested and appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court for murder on Thursday,” Funani said.

According to information, Rammuseng “Disco” Tlamme, 61 and Oscar Tlamme, 65 fought over the social grant of their mother.- Newsnote        

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms after a police officer was killed alongside his wife and two children in Mmakau village near Brits on Tuesday.

A constable, 41 who was stationed at Hebron Police Station, was with his wife, 40; children aged 22 and 3 respectively when number of unknown suspects entered the house.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The suspects allegedly shot four family members dead and fled the scene with a Chrysler Voyager vehicle afterwards. The vehicle was later found abandoned in the bushes at Black Rock Section in Mmakau. The motive of the killings is unknown at this stage and no one has been arrested.”

Motswenyane said: “It is sad that merciless criminals instantly killed members of a family including a member of the South African Police Service in the province. The police will leave no stone unturned to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.

“We also want to express our heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased. Police in Mmakau are investigating four counts of murder and a house robbery following the atrocity.”

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TWO Security guards were injured during an armed robbery at Batlhaping Baga Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority Hall in Taung on Tuesday. North West police said six armed suspects allegedly encircled the community hall and waited for South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees who were supposed to hand over social grants to elderly people in the area.

Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said: “The suspects allegedly robbed SASSA employees’ undisclosed amount of money that was supposed to be handed over as social grants to beneficiaries. They fled the scene with a vehicle depicted with Gauteng Province (GP) registration number. No one has been arrested yet.

“The wounded security guards were ferried to Taung District Hospital with bullet wounds. They were later transferred to Klerksdorp Hospital while in critical condition. The police are investigating a case of armed robbery and attempted murder. We urge anyone with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward,” Funani said.

She added that the incident took place at around 10am.

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Mika Moeti said: “We are concern about the high rate of crime taking place in Taung. The criminals have turned the vicinity into their shell where they practice their criminal activities. We want to see more police visibility because now criminals and robbers infiltrate rural areas to carry out crime.

“We also want to urge our community members to be wary of criminals especially that we are heading into festive season. We will intensify our patrollers to ensure that Taung is the safest place during festive season. Crime affects our economy and the stability of our country.

SASSA provincial spokesperson, Smanga Selemeni said: “Those who were adversely affected were paid. You will understand that the money is insured and our contractor will replace it as pre-requisite. We have also beefed up our security enforcement and all those who did not receive their money were paid on Wednesday.”- Newsnote

BY KEDIBONE MOLATSI

A 31 YEAR-OLD man from Nigeria will remain in custody after he allegedly stabbed three people to death in Schweizer Reneke on Saturday. North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspect was arrested and appeared in court on Tuesday.

“The suspect alleged stabbed a Congolese, 54, a Security Guard, 46 and a girl, 9. According to information, the suspect went to a 54-year-old Congolese woman’s rented room at Roshunville in Schweizer-Reneke and allegedly stabbed her with a knife. He allegedly stabbed a man who was working as a security guard.

“The suspect allegedly stabbed a girl, 9 who was also outside the premises. Two victims were certified dead on the scene by the Emergency Medical Response Service (EMRS) personnel, while the minor victim was certified dead on arrival at Schweizer-Reneke hospital. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect is not related to any of the victims,” Mokgwabone said.

He further said the suspect was arrested on Sunday at Joe Morolong hospital in Vryburg after he suffered few injuries during the tumult.

“The suspect sustained injuries while jumping the fence after being chased by the deceased’s father. The motive of the killing is still unknown at this stage and the case was postponed until Thursday next week,” he said.

North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said: “We want to condemn the incident. The police will work hard to ensure that suspect faces the full might of the law. We want to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.”

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Former Northern Cape Finance MEC John Block will spend 15 years behind bars for his role in a multi-million rand corruption scandal.

Block, who is also a former chairperson of the African National Congress in the province, was sentenced in the Northern Cape High Court along with Trifecta Holdings boss Christo Scholtz on Tuesday.

Last year, the pair were found guilty of corruption and money laundering relating to the inflation of leases for government buildings.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Phaladi Shuping says: “Mr John Block was sentenced to 15 years for corruption, and he also got 12 years for money laundering. The judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently.”

Shuping says the prosecution is pleased with the sentences.

“From the day that they were convicted, all we were asking for as the NPA was the minimum sentence as prescribed in the law – which is 15 years for corruption – and we are satisfied because we got exactly what we were looking for.”

Scholtz was sentenced to 15 years for corruption and 12 years money laundering and they will run concurrently.

Source: http://www.ewn.co.za

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Kimberley SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit appeal to the public to assist with the information that could lead to the arrest of suspected rapists operating in the Colville and Floors area, near Kimberley.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana said: “We are investigating a case of rape after four girls aged between 10 and 14 were allegedly raped by unknown man. According to the victims, the suspect who is believed to be in his late 20’s took them to Sewe Dam, near Homevale and raped them.

“The incident happened on November 8 between 8am and 13pm. The suspect fled the scene after the atrocity. The suspect who was approximately 1.8m tall was wearing a dark green T-shirt depicted with flowers and had dreadlocks.”

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BY REGINALD KANYANE